If one is searching for remedies for heartburn symptoms, this is an excellent place to look. There are also answers to the often-asked question, What is heartburn indigestion? Heartburn is another name for pyrosis, a medical condition that causes pain or a burning feeling to spread through the chest or through the esophagus. In some cases, the pain may also spread to the jaw, neck, or throat area. Often, heartburn is a symptom of a more serious condition known as GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It may also be a symptom of a similar condition called Acid Reflux Disease. Fortunately, pyrosis does not actually involve the heart at all, and heartburn causes no cardiac problems.

A good way to know if the pain one is experiencing is heartburn is to look for the common symptoms. These may include any or all of the following: experiencing a burning feeling in the chest, throat, jaw, arms, or back, particularly if this occurs within an hour after eating; burning pain that worsens when lying down, having a bowel movement, or bending over; or experiencing a sudden bitter or sour taste in the mouth.

The causes of heartburn are varied. Some common heartburn causes, other than Acid Reflux Disease or GERD, may be ingesting substances, such as caffeinated beverages, alcohol, food high in fat, or chocolate, that cause a loosening of the esophageal sphincter; lying down on one’s back or doing strenuous activities soon after eating; as a result of a condition such as a hiatal hernia, diabetes, or an autoimmune disease; taking certain prescription medications, particularly those for treating high blood pressure, osteoporosis, heart disease, or asthma; taking over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen or Aspirin; and eating foods that affect the esophagus such as spicy foods, citrus foods, and products that contain tomato sauce.

If heartburn has been a persistent or long-term problem, serious symptoms such as asthma, hoarseness, coughing, constant sore throat, enamel damage, feeling a constant lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, dehydration, and vomiting or defecating blood may occur. Most of these symptoms are rare, and will not occur if one seeks medical help for continuous or frequent heartburn.

Now that one knows the answer to what is heartburn indigestion, it is important to find proper heartburn remedies. Some of the most common include avoiding large meals, caffeine, fried foods, and other heartburn causing food mentioned; not lifting, wearing tight clothing, or lying down withing three hours of eating; elevating the bed when sleeping; losing weight if needed; quitting smoking; not drinking alcohol; taking an over the counter Antacid such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids one hour after eating; taking a prescription drug such as Tagamet, Zantac, or Pepcid; or treating the disorder or condition causing the heartburn. In certain cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. One must understand the cause of heartburn before he or she can find the correct remedies for heartburn symptoms.